OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen and OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons in Helsinki, 31 July 2025HELSINKI, 1 August 2025 – Marking the 50th anniversary of the landmark Helsinki Final Act, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons (Spain) took part yesterday in the high-level Helsinki+50 Conference, hosted by the 2025 Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship-in-Office at Finlandia Hall, highlighting the enduring role of peace and dialogue in the OSCE’s work.
Adopted on 1 August 1975, the Helsinki Final Act laid the foundation for East-West dialogue during the Cold War and remains the cornerstone of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, grounded in respect for sovereignty, peaceful dispute settlement, human rights, and economic co-operation. On the occasion of the anniversary, the OSCE PA celebrates this legacy and reaffirms its commitment to the Act’s ten principles as guiding lights for peace and stability in the 21st century.
“This anniversary is not just a commemoration – it is a call to action,” said President Pons. “The Helsinki principles offer a framework for dialogue, peace, and resilience in times of crisis. As parliamentarians, we have the responsibility to keep these values alive and operational through political will and oversight.”
President Pons joined government leaders, senior OSCE officials, and civil society representatives in paying tribute to the legacy of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and reaffirming the enduring relevance of its principles in a time of serious geopolitical challenges. The conference, titled "Respecting the Legacy, Preparing for the Future," underscored the importance of continued engagement across all dimensions of comprehensive security, with a special focus on the role of civil society.
“In these turbulent times, the legacy of the Helsinki Final Act is more vital than ever,” President Pons said. “This anniversary reminds us that dialogue, mutual respect, and principled engagement must remain at the heart of our approach to security and co-operation. As parliamentarians, we carry forward the vision of Helsinki and stand ready to support the OSCE’s work in every possible way.”
President Pons noted that the OSCE PA will continue to serve as a strong parliamentary voice for the values enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act.
“More than a historical document, the Final Act represents an enduring commitment to peace through dialogue and co-operation,” he added. “In today’s fractured world, this vision is not only relevant — it is essential. We must place dialogue at the centre of our political efforts and reaffirm that peace is not a passive ideal but an active pursuit, requiring collective will and constant engagement.”
President Pons used the occasion to engage in a number of bilateral meetings with key figures from the governmental side of the OSCE, including Finnish Foreign Minister and 2025 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen, and the OSCE Secretary General, Ambassador Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu.
In his meeting with Minister Valtonen, President Pons expressed strong support for Finland’s Chairpersonship, particularly in its efforts to maintain the Organization’s operational capacity in the face of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. Stressing the need for consensus on the budget, he noted that the OSCE cannot meet expectations or fulfill its mandate without adequate financial resources.
OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu in Helsinki, 31 July 2025During his exchange with Secretary General Sinirlioğlu, President Pons highlighted the Assembly’s commitment to acting as “one team OSCE” and underlined the need for close co-operation between the parliamentary and governmental dimensions of the Organization.
As part of its ongoing 50th anniversary commemorations, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the Helsinki Final Act in its 2025 Porto Declaration, which explicitly restated the Decalogue and underlined the enduring importance of these foundational commitments.
The OSCE PA’s tribute to the anniversary is also reflected in its recently launched “10 Days, 10 Principles” campaign across social media, which highlights the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act through daily features and quotes.
For a video published today marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, please click here.
